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Moscow High School
School Info
Conference: 4A Inland Empire League
Classification: 4A
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Head Coach: Phil Helbling
Years as Head Coach: 5th Season
Previous Experience: 5 years as an assistant at Moscow and Pullman
Record Last Year: 1-8
Assistant Coaches:
Ky Edwards
Pat Amos
Buck Buchanan
Logan Brooks
Brad Broenneke
Zac Carscallen
TJ Lewis, Jake Ramey
Adam Ingwell
Returning Players:
Bryson Bennett, LB/RB, 12
Collin Mattson, LB/RB, 12
Caleb Couch, OL/DL, 12
Pat Coulter, OL/DL, 12
Nate Davis, OL/DL, 12
Jake Knott, WR/DB,12
Kobe Reyes, LB/TE, 12
Wyatt Youngblood, OL/DL, 12
Returning Players with Honors:
Pat Coulter DL First Team
Wyatt Youngblood DL First Team
Tanner Newton, DL, First Team
Key Players lost from last year:
Devin Carscallen QB, Senior leader
Collin Niehenke WR, Athletic
Chad Robertson RB, Leader
Eric Redinger LB, Do it all kind of guy
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Incoming impact players:
Bryson Bennett, Seinor, RB/LB, 12
Collin Mattson, Senior, RB/LB, 12
Peyton Broenneke, QB/DB, 11
Andrew Pietrzak, DB, 11
Jacob Gray, WR/DB, 10
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Team Preview:
Written by: Brandon McIntosh
After finishing third last year in the 4A District 1-2 conference and finding themselves with one win, the Moscow Bears are looking to bounce back this season.
“Beardown! Do everything the right way with great effort and a great attitude,” says 5th year Coach Phil Helbling.
And Beardown they look to do. The Bears strength of this team looks to be the defensive line with their overall depth. The defensive line is returning three players who received 1st Team All-Conference recognition- Pat Coulter, Wyatt Youngblood, and Tanner Newton. Coach Helbling is looking for the defensive front to put more pressure on opposing quarterbacks and close the gaps to stop the run game. With this added pressure, the Bears look to increase their takeaway numbers.
Along with the pressure, Coach Helbling states that his team “must do their job and remember assignments on every play.”
Last season, the Bears gave up over 40 points in five of their 9 games. This season, they are looking to get off the field on third down at a higher rate and force more turnover. Coach Helbling is looking to his linebacker core to make more plays and feed off of what the defensive line is doing. Returning at linebacker is Bryson Bennett and Colin Mattson who have even more experience heading into this year. Additions to the core will consist of Bryson Gottshalk, Marshall Krewer, and Kobe Reyes, all of who are ready and able to step up and help out the defense, according to Coach Helbling.
The defense looks to Beardown and force more turnovers and get more stops for the offense. The offense is looking for ball control and ball security. Turnovers were a problem last season and finding replacements for their now graduated athletic leaders. A big question mark is replacing quarterback Devin Carscallen.
“The quarterback this season is going to have to step up, whoever it may be, and be a leader and successfully run the offense,” stated by Helbling.
One thing going in the favor of the new play caller is the offensive line. Four of the five linemen-Youngblood, Coulter, Caleb Couch, and Nate Davis- are back to protect the quarterback and open up holes for the running game. Along with depth at the offensive line, the backfield looks to be strong and have great depth. Replacing the carries of Chad Robertson will be Bennett and Mattson who will be attempting to take some pressure of the newly crowned quarterback.
While the line and backfield will be a strength, the wide receiving core will be inexperienced. Looking to replace the very athletic Colin Niehenke, Coach Helbling is looking for Jayson Gray, Jacob Gray, Tiburon Leitch, and Danny Johnson to step up and make some plays.
Last season, the injury bug hit the Bears. So, Coach Helbling mentioned team health as being a top priority for his gridiron gang, along with developing depth.
“I am excited to watch the players come together, push every each other every day, compete, and see them grow as young men,” says Coach Helbing beaming about this year’s team.
The lone victory last season came in week 1 against 2A State champion, the Grangeville Bulldogs. The Bears took the season opener 40-21. This year, the Bears look for the same start. Grangeville heads to Moscow for the August 26 home opener.
Moscow has 5 of their 8 games at home this season including the 5A Lewiston Bengals and a must-see conference showdown at home against Lakeland. Last season, on the road, the Bears fell to Lakeland 17-14 and will look to change that outcome this year. The Bears will wrap up the season on the road at Lake City against conference opponent, the Sandpoint Bulldogs.
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